DOGS MOUNTING DOGS

By Wednesday, August 30, 2017 25 No tags Permalink

Can we talk about dogs mounting dogs?…

DOGS MOUNTING DOGS

Experts say –

It’s done by males and females, even by dogs that have been neutered or spayed. It’s a play behavior that dogs do because no one has told them it’s not acceptable. It can become enjoyable or a normal part of the dog’s day, so it keeps doing it. It’s the same as jumping up or barking at the door. WebMD

This is one of those subjects humans with dogs try to avoid discussing if at all possible. #myopinion

I’m not interested in starting a FaceBook support group or anything, but I would like to know that I am not alone here.

MY PLIGHT –

Harley’s been mounting Jaxson for a while now. Always when we’re outside playing ball and other people are around…

DOGS MOUNTING DOGS

Can’t really say when it started. Ball playing really gets him excited.

Jaxson could care less. He’s only interested in the ball.

Don’t remember if Harley ever tried to hump/mount Leo. But then again, based on the vast difference in height, he probably couldn’t. #Iknowyourlaughing

DOES YOUR DOG “DO-IT” IN PUBLIC? –

Do you see people whisper and stare when you enter a dog park?

How does that make you feel?

I’ve become a little self-conscience and defensive at times – as if I didn’t raise him right! #Imonlyhuman  Especially when people take the opportunity to tell off color jokes, laugh, and make sexually explosive comments. Like –

  • Those are two males?
  • He needs a lady friend
  • Are you sure he’s neutered?

Or the one that makes me just cringe –

They need to get a room!

SO WHY DO DOGS “DO-IT?” –

  • Sexualit’s normal, even for those who are already “fixed”
  • Playare looked at as part of normal play behavior. Rarely do they have erections. They just get aroused during play…

DOGS MOUNTING DOGS

  • Stress or excitementcertain situations can contribute to the arousal.
  • Compulsiveif the dog does this to eliminate stress, it can interfere with his/her normal functions.

There are also medical reasons –

  • Urinary tract infections
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Priapism (painful erections)

While I am still perplexed about Harley’s behavior, I am grateful to Doodle Doc because I can rule that list out!…

DOGS MOUNTING DOGS

HUMANS WILL BE HUMANS –

I know there aren’t enough years remaining in my life to travel the country and convert those who make humping dog pet parents embarrassed when their furry friends try to “get it on” when they’re out and about.

I would however, love to know how other pet people cope. What have you done to eliminate your cheeks from turning various shades of red? How do you stop caring?

And here’s the biggie –

HAS ANYONE GOTTEN THEIR DOG(S) TO STOP?

I’m inclined to accept what’s natural to them, let them play…

DOGS MOUNTING DOGS

…and stick my tongue out at any human who shares a negative comment!

So that’s my story for this BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

If anyone has any words of wisdom – a sister is willing to listen…

 If confusion is the first step to knowledge, I must be a genius ❤️

JOIN US –

– as we continue to pray for all those affected by Hurricane Harvey…

25 Comments
  • Emma
    August 30, 2017

    I used to do that to Katie all the time, now Madison has tried to mount Bailie. It is kind of a dominance thing around here. Mom just tells us off and we are supposed to stop. Sometimes we do. It typically happens just in our own yard or in the house is we are playing wild, but Mom doesn’t like it. You and the boys are not alone. We are all girls.

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      Public places seem to be their favorite place to perform.

  • Taryn
    August 30, 2017

    Jimmy does this to Wilson only after an agility run at a trial. I’ve always figured it was his way of releasing the left over adrenaline from his run. He gets very high before and during, so I imagine it takes awhile to ebb away.

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      There is definitely something tied to the excitement piece of it. Harley in his later years decided he liked to chase balls. So now after a few runs he gets so excited, I can see it in his eyes as he zooms towards poor Jaxy…

  • Monika & Sam
    August 30, 2017

    Oh yeah, Sam is relentless when he’s had to be kenneled if I’m traveling. I know because I’ve seen him horn-dogging others at the boarding center on their video. In his case, I believe he’s anxious he’s not home with me but it sure is embarrassing nonetheless. He doesn’t do it to the new dog-he won’t even play with her (truth be told I think he’s slightly terrified of her). I love that he’s very passive with her and all dogs we encounter outside of the boarding situation.

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      LOL – love that term “horn-dogging”

  • Melody & Misha
    August 30, 2017

    It’s funny how humans get so worked up about behavior that is most likely very normal for dogs. My brother’s dog used to mount other dogs when he was younger. Male or female, he didn’t care. He tried Misha once, but she let him have it. He never tried again.

    It’s a coincidence that you wrote about this topic because I’m working on something similar. If you think this is embarrassing, Misha doesn’t mount other dogs, she mounts her favorite stuffed animal…and only when we have company. Talk about embarrassing!

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      I can remember Harley as a puppy – he would hum a stuffed animal before he went to bed. He stopped on his own. Years later he took to doing it again. Go figure…

  • Jan
    August 30, 2017

    I read about a man who surrendered his dog to the shelter because the dog mounted another male dog and he “didn’t want no queer dog.”

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      Lord have mercy. #nowords

  • Lindsay
    August 30, 2017

    I feel like when it’s happened with us or around us in public, or at a dog park (that I haven’t frequented in years!), we just shrug it off. Most pet parents know it has nothing to do with sexuality but rather play and establishing dominance. It happens at my mom’s house from time to time when there around 5 or more dogs. They try to establish a pecking order, that’s all. It can also become a learned behaviour from puppyhood. Charlie humped a lot when he was a pup and thank GOD he grew out of it but we were told that it might stick around and if it does, it’s just because it’s something he’s learned and he doesn’t know otherwise, or any better.

    Jan’s comment above is ridiculous, but I’m not surprised. Some people can be so stupid/naïve/ridiculous.

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      I don’t do dog parks – but those humans that make the snide remarks don’t have dogs with them at the time, so I’m assuming their lives do not include dogs.

  • Lindsay
    August 30, 2017

    Meant to say Jan is NOT ridiculous but that man that gave up his dog is. *SMH*

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      I get it!

  • Miss Harper Lee
    August 30, 2017

    My sister and I are guilty. Always outside and always when people are around . . . preferably when they’re talking to our humans. We do it because we love embarrassing our humans. 😉

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      That’s it! It must be something that ALL dogs enjoy – embarrassing their humans! LOL

  • Amanda
    August 30, 2017

    Yep. As with most things you write, we have the same behavior. Wrigley(parallel to Harley) is otherwise docile if not timid. But in excited moments of play, or wanting mom’s attention, or establishing “ownership” in public places, my sweet Wrigs mounts and air humps The Princess Piper, who is otherwise more dominant. She seems to care less, like she’s watching her nails dry. We tell Wrigley to stop, and he does, but I don’t feel that passionate about it either way. Just a natural part of their behavior for (I imagine) several innaucuos (sp?) reasons.

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      A-mazing how many things Harley & Wrigley share.
      Harley’s not timid, but he’s definitely air-humped his share over the years. I just look at him and shake my head. it’s nice to know we’re not alone isn’t it? LOL

  • Robin
    August 31, 2017

    Oh my! Dogs can sure be silly. I can just imagine the Facebook support group you would have to start for this! LOL Maybe you could distract them with treats or toys when this behavior starts. At least it is well known to be a “normal” behavior for dogs.

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      A FB support group HA! – Let’s call it Humpers Anonymous LOL

  • Jan K
    August 31, 2017

    Miss Harper Lee’s comment made me laugh! When I didn’t really know a lot about dogs, I was shocked when me female dogs did this! But I soon learned it’s not what humans want to spin it to be.
    I swear, is sex all humans ever think about? LOL
    It’s more embarrassing when your dog does it to a human, trust me! Luke has a tendency to do that to both me and my sister when he is excited to see us (that’s one case where it’s a good thing he doesn’t like strangers…at least my sister is understanding!). I stopped him from doing it to me by letting out a high pitched “OW”, which is the same way I got him not to bite when playing. After a while, he mostly stopped even trying.

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      Harley’s never done it to a human, he just does it to Jaxson and any other dog that will let him!

  • Shadow and Ducky's Mom
    September 2, 2017

    Callie and Shadow humped each other in play quite often when they were young. And, now and then Callie did it to show both Shadow and Ducky that she was “top dog”, even though they both knew it. Ducky used to crack us up because in her attempts to get Callie to play – when a play bow didn’t work – she would hump Callie’s hip while she was resting on one of the dog beds. It was amusing for a little while, but Callie was ever-so-patient with her “baby” sister. Until one evening when Ducky was relentless despite Callie’s several warning glances. Callie finally had had enough and picked up her head, turned it in Ducky’s direction, and snapped at the space between their faces.
    She startled all of us, but especially Ducky. And it was a LONG time before Ducky pestered her oldest sister that much again.

    • Cathy Bennett
      September 11, 2017

      Jaxson just tries to run away when he’s had enough of Harley – and I die laughing because Harley holds on for dear life and gets dragged behind like a wet diaper.

  • Cathy Bennett
    September 11, 2017

    It’s a struggle that seems to plague many of us. Thanks for stopping by!